Page 65

Matthias

Margot can’t stop looking around. Her face glows with awe. Pride swells in my chest. I did a damn good job. I wanted to give her the perfect date, even if we had to stay on the property. She’ll never have a bad date again. I’ll treat her like the princess she is.

She’s still soaking it all in when David, the gate guard who let her leave and got her attacked, steps onto the terrace with a bottle of wine.

He looked confused when I told him he’d be our server tonight.

But considering I let him live after what happened to her, he’ll do any job I assign.

Including this one. Dotty’s cooking. He’s serving.

“Good evening. I have a cabernet for you tonight.” His voice is bright, too bright. He avoids eye contact, clearly ashamed. If he knew what had happened to her, he’d be on his knees begging for her forgiveness.

He pours a taste into my glass. I swirl it, sniff it, and taste it, then nod once in approval. Not at him. At the wine. I don’t approve of him .

He fills Margot’s glass, then mine, and sets the bottle on the table.

“Dinner will be ready shortly.” He disappears quickly.

“Was that–” She starts.

“Yes. That’s the man who almost cost me you. He’s lucky to be alive. He’ll do whatever job I give him, including server. And he’ll do a damn good job. He’s fucking lucky I’m showing him mercy.”

My sweet girl, sensing my rising anger, slides her hand into mine on the table and squeezes gently. One smile from her, and the anger vanishes.

“Well, he’s doing a good job,” she says, teasing.

“I’m sure Dotty drilled etiquette into him. She rules that kitchen like a dictator.”

“I believe it. She’s hounded me during breakfasts more than once.” She winks.

“She’s the only one I trust in my kitchen.”

“That’s because she babies you. She adores you so much. It’s sickening.”

“That was before you came along and stole her from me.”

“Wrong. You should’ve heard her the first day. She went on and on about how ‘sweet Matthias is’ and how ‘his brothers need to seek the Lord’s forgiveness.’”

I laugh loudly.

“Where did you even find her?”

“She’s good friends with my parents. After her husband passed, she needed income but refused charity.

She demanded to earn her keep. She didn’t want to work for her friends, and with her opinions about my brothers, I was the only option.

She’s been with me eleven years. I’ve offered to let her retire with full pay, but she refuses every time.

I think she’s lonely. Not that I mind. I wouldn’t know what to do without her. ”

“That’s really sweet of you. I’ll try to spend more time with her. I used to, but with how much I’ve been recording lately, I haven’t been around as much.”

“No, sweetheart. Do what you need to do.”

After a pause, I ask, “Why audiobooks? You had a good job. You didn’t need the money. It’s such a niche thing to do.”

“I’m a hopeless romantic. I love rom-coms, love stories, romance book, even trashy ones.

Happy endings are my weakness. I’ve read over six hundred romance books since college.

One of my favorite series didn’t have an audiobook, so I offered to narrate it for free.

That turned into a demo. And the rest is history. ”

She lights up talking about it. Her passion practically hums.

“You’re great at it. You bring your characters to life. And your voice… God, your voice.”

She blushes.

“Did you actually listen to my last book, or just the sex scenes?” she asks innocently.

“I listened to the whole thing. I’m not a pervert, despite what you said.

I only have one of your books left. I listen to them while I work.

It’s the only way to get my Margot fix without dragging you into my office.

I’ve even delayed meetings to finish chapters.

But honestly? It’s your voice. You could narrate a commercial for geriatric erectile dysfunction, and I’d enjoy it. The erotic scenes are just a bonus.”

She hides behind her wine glass, face blazing.

“I have a confession,” she mumbles, avoiding eye contact. My curiosity spikes. “I’ve been picturing you in every scene I’ve recorded. Sometimes I mess up and call the character ‘Matty’ and have to redo a scene.”

“Fuck.” I groan, tipping my head back and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Sweetheart, you can’t tell me something like that during dinner. I’m trying to be a gentleman. ”

I discretely adjust myself under the table. My cock rages, but I am trying to be a gentleman .

When I glance at her, she’s biting her lip and staring at where my lap is hidden under the table.

“Margot,” I warn.

She keeps staring.

“If you don’t stop looking at me like that, dinner won’t happen. I’ll break this damn table fucking you on it. Then I’ll spank you for ruining dinner. And Dotty spent all day preparing it.”

She’s still staring.

“Margot!”

She weighs her options. Defy me and get fucked and spanked. Or behave. Eat. Then get fucked afterwards.

She finally looks up and smiles sweetly.

“Sorry, Matty. What were we talking about?”

My cock twitches, but I force myself to answer.

“Audiobooks. Was it just a hobby, or do you want to do it long term?”

“If I could make a living off of it, I would, but I need something stable. My parents always pushed for that. It’s why I went into finance, so I could take care of myself. Never have to rely on a man.”

“But your heart wasn’t in finance.”

“Not at all. I hated it. What about you? What’s your five-year plan?”

You. You’re my five-year plan. And every year after. You, me, and a house full of kids. ‘Til death do us part. And even after that.

“I’ll keep expanding Syndicate Enterprise. But once my family starts to grow, I’ll step back. Become a silent partner.”

She catches it. My family starts to grow.

With her .

“That’s nice,” she says softly. I can tell she’s picturing the same future as I am.

“So, what’s on your bucket list?”

I want to know what dreams I need to make come true. What we’ll do before kids. And what we’ll do with them.

“I’ve never really made one. I just want a storybook love. Someone to be everything. Someone who holds me through the bad times and is beside me in all the good memories. A best friend. Kissing, crying, fighting. All of it.”

Sweet girl, you already have it. You already have me.

Our love will make every fictional one look pathetic. You’ll never go without anything. Not for a second.

I’ll drown you in love.

And I’m honored to do it.